Matt Mullan hamstring tear sets back Worcester player's England hopes

Any hopes Matt Mullan had of catapulting himself into the England squad for
the autumn internationals have been shattered by a hamstring tear that could
take "months" to repair.

Down and out: Matt Mullan waits to hear the worst after picking up an injury during Worcester's defeat by MontpellierPhoto: GETTY IMAGES

By Graham Clutton

4:51PM BST 09 Oct 2009

Mullan, named in the England Saxons training squad in July, was injured as Worcester surprisingly lost their opening Amlin Challenge Cup game at Sixways.

The 22 year-old, who is rated as one of English rugby's most promising front-five forwards, was helped off in the first half of Worcester's 22-17 defeat at the hands of a second string Montpellier side.

Mike Ruddock, the Worcester coach, believes that while a weekend scan will determine the extent of Mullan's problem, the early signs suggest a lengthy lay off for the impressive young loose-head.

"It looks pretty serious," said Ruddock. "There's a chance it could be ripped away from the bone. We hope not, but at the moment he's looking at six weeks off at least. However, it could be months.

"With the autumn internationals just around the corner, it's a setback to him. It's also a setback to us to lose him now."

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As far as England are concerned, Mullan's blow comes hot on the heels of injuries to Delon Armitage, Tom Rees, Riki Flutey and Toby Flood.

Furthermore, before the autumn internationals kick off on Nov 7, there is the small matter of two weekends of European rugby and one round of the Guinness Premiership.

Rob Andrew, the Rugby Football Union's elite rugby director, has been trying to play down the mini crisis. However, it goes without saying that if the following few weeks are as intense as the first five this season, there could be many more setbacks before the first international ball is kicked in anger.

"The medics are continually monitoring and updating things," Andrew said. "They'll already be focusing on the fact that there have been quite a few shoulder injuries and reacting accordingly.

"The comfort for the coaches is that we now have a squad system in place, and a clear pathway between the squads, that's designed to cope with situations like this."

Mullan's injury was not the only problem for Ruddock on a night when the Warriors were outfought and out-thought by a Montpellier side missing all but two of their normal first-choice XV.

Prop Shaun Ruwers tore a ligament from under a toe and faces a three-month lay-off, Dale Rasmussen suffered a grade one tear to the medial ligament in his right knee, Marcel Garvey came off with a suspected fracture to his hand and Graham Kitchener left the field with an AC shoulder problem.

"It was certainly a disappointing night all round," added Ruddock. "I'm not blaming the injuries for our defeat, but it certainly doesn't help when you lose three key forwards in the first half.

"Still, we'll get on with things and, hopefully, learn from the mistakes we made. I thought we started well and looked to move the ball well.

"However, we weren't very smart and though I asked them to change the game at half-time and start kicking to the corners, we were unable to do that.

"All credit to Montpellier because they came here and tackled their hearts out. Still, I'm disappointed that we didn't execute our game plan.

"Now we have to go out and win our remaining five games in the competition. It's as simple as that and it's not beyond our capability."